Basquiat

From graffiti in Brooklyn to the New York art world

Basquiat (1996) is a feature film by director Julian Schnabel about the life of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Basquiat grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and began as a graffiti artist under the name SAMO. In the early 1980s, he broke into the international art world. The film follows his rise from the underground art scene to the major galleries of New York. His connection with Andy Warhol, played by David Bowie, plays a central role in the story.

A star cast and an early ending

Jeffrey Wright stars as Jean-Michel Basquiat. The film also stars Benicio del Toro, Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldman, and Courtney Love. Besides his artistic success, Basquiat also reveals the darker sides of his life. He died of an overdose in 1988 at the age of 27. The film paints a portrait of a talented artist who struggled with the pressures of fame and the expectations of the art world.